A long time ago, one of my most prolific mentors, a longtime driving range owner named Tony Macek, gave me a bit of advice that I should always remember. As I was about to embark on a less-than-prolific PGA Tour journey, he called me over and said, "Joey, you will be a Tiny Tim out there, but remember one thing. The greatest joy in life is winning. The second greatest joy is losing. And anything beats watching."

Such was the case this past week in a Web.com Tour event where club pro Michael Bembenick posted scores of 89-103.

Certainly nothing to write home about. As he showed up at his home course Saturday morning, I am certain that his members tried to avoid him like the plague, unsure of what to say. Having posted my share of poor scores in tour events while a club professional, I have first-hand knowledge of what his feelings are at this moment: Shock, disbelief, embarrassment, essentially feelings that lack self esteem.

But, and this is a big but, he gets "it." Whatever "it" is in the game of golf, our less-than-iconic Bembenick has it. After his 103 was posted, the Golf Channel decided to interview him over the phone to explain why he posted his score instead of posting a "no card" or withdrawing.

"No one likes to see a quitter," Bembenick told the Golf Channel. "I know none of the members at my club or any students that I teach would want to see me quit."

Wow. The presence of mind Bembenick displayed is a great lesson for us all, whatever our ability level.

Arnold Palmer once said, "The whole secret to mastering the game of golf - and this applies to the beginner as well as the pro - is to cultivate a mental approach to the game which will enable you to shrug off the bad shots, shrug off the bad days, keep patient, and know in your heart that sooner or later you will be back up on top."

When will I get better? I can't score. I don't understand how I can hit it better and not score any lower are all questions the golfer asks.

There is no formula, no equation that 300 balls equal two strokes less on the card. No, it is you that makes the difference. You allowing yourself to be patient and move forward.

Bembenick understood that these rounds were not going to be the best competitive rounds he would play. Brandel Chamblee, former PGA Tour winner and analyst on Golf Channel, once told me that the perfect time to prepare is when you are in the midst of a poor day. Try that new swing thought -- what do you have to lose? What better time to experiment than when you are lost anyway, thus making your remaining holes something to look forward to, not dread.

What Michael Bembenick learned and can spill over to his students is something Dr. Bob Rotella said, "Dissatisfaction does not need to lead to impatience, which can be damaging."

Dr. Rotella also said we "need to keep finding reasons to be optimistic and patient."

One can be certain that in no way was Bembenick happy or satisfied with his inability to score well in this Tour Event. But that he could intelligently speak and deal with his scores, shows that his emotional stability will serve him well in future events. Move on, take things in stride and never give up on the game that you so passionately care for.